Spring structure



Jan. 26, 1943. w. A. CLARK SPRING STRUCTURE Filed July 28, 1941 2 Sheets -Sheet l INVENTOR. C/a/"K BY fl/zZ/z'am ATT )RNEYS.

' Jan. 3- w. A. CLARK 2,309,239

I SPRING STRUCTURE 4 FiQLed July 28, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet k b v INVENTOR. W/Y/[d/i? 4. C/dr/r BY Patented Jan. 26, 1943 SPRING STRUCTURE William A. Clark, Detroit, Mich., assignor to L. A. Young Spring and Wire Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application July 28, 1941, Serial N0. 404,354

12 Claims.

This invention relate to improvements in spring structures.

The main objects of this invention are:

' First, to provide a spring structure having substantially spaced springs thereby reducing the number of springs and at the same time providing an effective supporting surface for the upholstery.

Second, to provide a spring structure of this character in which the springs are so connected thatthey may yield independently, at the same time without possibility of clashing or noise in the connections therefor.-

Third, to provide a structure having these ad Q vantages which is quite economical in its parts and the parts may be readily assembled, and further, a structure which is well adapted to receive the upholstery.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims. I

Preferred embodiments of the inventionare illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary plan view of a cushion structure embodying the features of my invention, certain of the parts being shown conventionally for convenience in illustration.

' Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end view, the upholstery being mainly broken away.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section on line 33 of Fig. 5. v

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary View in section on line 44 of Fig. 5. 1

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan View.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of a slightly modified form or embodiment of my invention.

'Fig. '7 is an enlarged section on a line corresponding to line '!1 of Fig. 6.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated is especially designed for seat cushions for automobiles, busses, trucks and the like but isa'lso desirable for'use in certain forms of furniture.

In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying' drawings, I provide a base designated generally by the numeral l, and comprising border frame cross pieces 2 of channel section to which the bottom coils of the body springs 3 are connected. The body springs are arranged in rows, the'structur'e illustrated being rowed in both directions. a

' The topframe 4 is clipped to the top coils of the outer orborder springs and is braced by the v:

inclined braces 5 connected to the border frame and. to the base.

Certain of the springs are held under compressic-n by means of fabric strips 6 which have flexible cords or strands l secured in their opposite edges to reinforce the same. These reinforced edges are secured to the top coils of springs of adjacent rows by means of clips 8 which embrace or engage the reinforced edge portions. The strips are of such length that they depend in loops 9 between the rows of springs, the bights [0 of the loops being engaged by the hold-down wire strands H arranged within the bights and secured at their ends only, so as to be unrestrained intermediate said ends, to suitable positions on the base spring supporting members 2. The parts are engaged with the springs under the desired compression so that objectionable rebound is prevented and also they are held under compression to facilitate up" holstering.

The springs are also further connected by the extensible top tie members 12 which comprise the helically coiled springs 13 encased within tubular casings M of stretchable material. These tubular casings are formed of a woven or suitably meshed fabric, being formed as tubes to provide the desired stretchability or extensibility. These tie members are arranged in pairs between adjacent rows of springs, each tie member being secured to a row of springs by means of clips l5 which embrace the helicals. The members are connected centrally intermediate their connection to the springs by means of clips l6 which also embrace the encased helicals l3. The outer springs are of course effectively held in upright position by the border frame to which they are connected.

The intermediate springs are held under cornpression and in upright position to permit free flexing thereof by the compression members and tie members described.

Inrthe embodiment shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the compression members I! extend to and are connected to all of the springs of the rows while the anchoring strand I8 is connected at its ends to the opposite sides of the base frame at 26. Otherwise the structure is as has been described.

The encased helical tie members are of particular advantage as they present a desirable surface to the upholstery. The clips may be applied directly around the encased parts providing a secure connection and a noiseless connection in operation.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in desirable embodiments thereof which I consider very desirable. I have not attempted to illustrate various adaptations which I contemplate as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvement as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a spring structure, the combination with a base, of body springs mounted thereon in substantially spaced relation and rowed in two directions, strips of fabric having flexible reinforcing strands in their opposite edges, said reinforced edges of said strips being secured to the top coil of springs of adjacent rows with the fabric strips depending in loops between them, wire anchoring strands for said strip-s disposed through the bights thereof and secured at their ends to said base, and elongated helically coiled springs encased in stretchable fabric tubing disposed transversely of and intersecting said strips, said helicals being arranged in pairs, the helicals of each pair being secured respectively intermediate the length thereof to the top coils of springs of adjacent rows by clips embracing said helicals, said last'named helicals being connected to each other centrally intermediate their points of connection to the body springs by clips embracing both helicals.

2. In a spring structure, the combination with a base, of body springs mounted theron in substantially spaced relation and rowed in two directions, trips of fabric having flexible reinforcing strands in their opposite edges, said reinforced edges of said strips being secured to the top coils of springs of adjacent rows with the fabric strips depending in loops between them, wire anchoring strands for said strips disposed through the bights thereof and secured at their ends to said base, and elongated helically coiled springs disposed transversely of said strips intersecting relation thereto arranged in pairs, the helicals of each pair being secured respectively intermediate the length thereof to the top coils of springs of adjacent rows, said last named helicals being connected to each other intermediate their points of connection to the body springs.

3. In a spring structure, the combination with a base, of body springs mounted thereon in substantially spaced relation and rowed in two directions, strips of fabric having their edges secured to the top coils of springs of adjacent rows with the fabric strips depending in loops between them, anchoring means for securing said strip to said base disposed through the bights thereof, and elongated helically coiled springs encased in stretchable fabric tubing disposed transversely of and intersecting said strips, said tie members being arranged in pairs, the helicals of each pair being secured respectively intermediate the length thereof to the top coils of springs of adjacent rows, said last named helicals being connected to each other intermediate their points of connection to the body springs.

4. In a spring structure, the combination with a base, of body springs mounted thereon in substantially spaced relation and rowed in two directions, strips of fabric having their edges secured to the top coils of springs of adjacent rows with the fabric strips depending in loops between them, anchoring means for securing said strips to said base disposed through the bights thereof, and elongated helically coiled spring disposed transversely of said strips in intersecting relation thereto arranged in pairs, the helicals of each pair being secured respectively intermediate the length thereof to the top coils of springs of adjacent rows, said last named helicals being connected to each other intermediate their points of connection to the body springs.

5. In a spring structure, the combination with a base, of body springs mounted thereon and rowed in two directions, strips of fabric connected at the top thereof to the top coils of the springs and at the bottom thereof to the base, and elongated helically coiled springs each encased in stretchable fabric tubing disposed transversely of said trips and intersecting the same, said helicals being secured respectively intermediate the length thereof to the top coils of one row of springs and connected to the top coils of an adjacent row of springs.

6. In a spring structure, the combination with a base, of body springs mounted thereon and rowed in two directions, strips of fabric connected at the top thereof to the top coils of the springs and at the bottom thereof to the base, and elongated helically coiled springs each en cased in stretchable fabric tubing disposed transversely of said strips and intersecting the same, said helicals being secured intermediate the length thereof to one another and to the top coils of the springs.

'7. In a spring structure, the combination with a base, of body springs mounted thereon and rowed in two directions, strips of fabric connected at the top thereof to the top coils of the springs and at the bottom thereof to the base, and elongated helical top tie members disposed transversely of and in intersecting relation to said, strips and each secured at a plurality of points intermediate the length thereof to the top coils adjacent rows of springs.

8. In a spring structure, the combination with a base, of body springs mounted thereon and rowed in two directions, strips of fabric connected at the top thereof to the top coils of the springs and at the bottom thereof to the base, and elongated helical top tie members disposed transversely of said strips, said tie members intersecting said strips and being secured intermediate the length thereof alternately to one another and to adjacent springs of the respective rows.

9. In a spring structure, the combination with a base, of body springs mounted thereon in spaced rows, and means for holding certain of the springs under compression comprising strips of fabric having flexible reinforcing strands in their opposite edges, said reinforced edges of said strips being secured to the ,top coils of springs of adjacent rows with the fabric strips depending in loops between them, and wire anchoring strands for said strips disposed through the bights thereof and secured at their ends, to said base.

10. In a spring structure, the combination with a base, of body springs mounted thereon in spaced rows, and means for holding certain of the springs under compression comprising strips of fabric secured to the top coils of springs of adjacent rows with the fabric strips depending in loops between them, and anchoring strands for said strips disposed through the bights thereof and secured to said base.

11. In a spring structure, the combination with a base, of body springs mounted thereon in spaced relation and rowed in two directions, means for holding certain of the springs under compression comprising strips of fabric secured to the top coils of springs of adjacent rows and depending in loops between them, and anchoring means for securing said strips to said base, comprising resilient straight elongated wire strand members secured at their ends to the base and disposed through the bights of said loops.

12. In a spring structure, the combination with a base, of body springs mounted thereon in spaced relation and rowed in two directions, means for holding certain of the springs under compression comprising strips of fabric secured to the top coils of springs of a row and depending therefrom, and anchoring means for securing said strips to said base, comprising resilient straight elongated wire strand members secured at their ends to the base, said strand members being free intermediate the ends thereof from restraining engagement by said springs and engaging the lower end of said strips to bias the same downwardly.

WILLIAM A. CLARK. 

